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Hammersmith Hospital is the headquarters of the Post-graduate Medical
School of London, and also includes the Medical Research Council's Linear
Accelerator and Cyclotron building in connection with Cancer Research and treatment.
The Royal Masonic Hospital is one of the few remaining private hospitals.
Queen Charlotte's is a maternity hospital with its own Board of Governors, and is
the largest independent maternity hospital in the British Isles. It has an average
annual birth rate of between 2.400 and 3,000 babies of all nationalities.
Hammersmith Chest Clinic
All aspects of the tuberculosis problem are dealt with at this Clinic which is
housed at Hammersmith Hospital. The Clinic is closely linked with the PostGraduate
Medical School of London and takes part in the teaching of post-graduate
students. Management of the Clinic is under the direct supervision of a Consultant
Chest Physician, who is also a lecturer in chest diseases on the staff of the PostGraduate
Medical School.
The Clinic, its associated independent radiography department and hospital
beds are housed in the same building and are run as an integral unit. A consultant
diagnostic service for all chest diseases is provided for local practitioners who may
send patients for a full consultation if a letter of introduction is produced, or for
an X-ray examination only, which is arranged by a special form of reference. This
latter service provides a rapid means of obtaining a chest X-ray without the formality
of being examined by a consultant or other hospital physician.
In addition to the diagnostic services provided, out-patients clinics are held for
new and follow-up cases, for ambulance cases, for contacts and for anti-tuberculosis
vaccinations.
A special Clinic is also held for patients suffering from Chronic Bronchitis.
Attendances at all Clinics, apart from the X-ray only service, are strictly by
appointment only.
During the treatment, rehabilitation and re-settlement of tuberculosis and
other patients, many social and financial problems arise. To provide adequate
help and advice in these circumstances a fully equipped social welfare department
forms an integral part of the Chest Clinic service. This department is in the hands
of a Certified Almoner, who is in contact with many statutory and voluntary agencies
through which advice and assistance can be provided.
A comprehensive management scheme for tuberculosis patients is in operation
in the Borough. Suitable patients are treated with modern methods in their own
homes and visited there by the staff of the Chest Clinic. Visits to the Clinic are
arranged as necessary by ambulance and patients are also admitted to the Chest
Clinic beds for chemotherapy and for major and minor thoracic surgery. Sanatorium
treatment, when this is necessary, is undertaken in Sanatoria under the auspices of
the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. Such admission can only
be arranged through the Chest Clinic, as is also the case with tuberculosis patients
to be admitted to Hammersmith Hospital.
Laboratory Facilities
The Public Analyst for the Borough works at the Southwark Borough Council's
laboratory situated in the Health Centre, Walworth Road, S.E.
Bacteriological examination of food is carried out by the Public Health Laboratory
Service, County Hall. S.E.l. and this Laboratory, together with the Laboratory
at West London Hospital is also available to doctors for bacteriological examinations.
throat swabs, intestinal specimens, etc. The necessary swabs and outfits for
both Laboratories can be obtained from the Public Health Department.